The Hillsdale College softball team built off the momentum of Tuesday's dramatic sweep of Florida Southern, returning to action on Wednesday and taking two more wins at Eckerd as the Chargers' spring break tour of central Florida continues.
The Chargers continued to hit the ball well in a 7-5 game one victory over the Tritons, pounding out 11 hits to hold off a late Eckerd comeback attempt.
Trailing 2-1 early, the Chargers plated three runs in the third, as freshman Sydney Davis took advantage of runners at the corners to steal home and tie the game, and on the next at-bat McKenna Eichholz put the Chargers ahead with a two-run home run over the centerfield fence. Senior Grace Wallner tacked on another run in the top of the sixth on a RBI double that scored Hannah Hoverman from first base, and Hillsdale scored two important runs in the top of the seventh, including one on a RBI double by Maggie Olaveson, to take a 7-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Those two added runs would prove critical, allowing the Chargers to stay ahead despite a two-run home run by Eckerd in the bottom of the seventh, and to finish off the victory.
Olaveson led the Chargers at the plate with three hits, including the double, Eichholz added two hits, including the home run, and Hailey Holtman chipped in a double as well for the Chargers, who wreaked havoc on the basepaths with four stolen bases, including two that led directly to runs.
Mackenzi Maxson got the start and recorded her first collegiate victory in the circle for the Chargers, pitching five and a third innings with one strikeout. Senior Erin Kapteyn struck out one and walked one in one and two-thirds innings of relief to record her second save of the season as well.
In the nightcap, junior Joni Russell dominated on the mound to help lead the Chargers to a 3-0 victory; finishing off Russell's third shutout of the season and 15th of her career. Russell struck out 10 batters and scattered three hits in a complete game victory, her fifth of 2024.
At the plate, Olaveson provided all the offense Hillsdale needed in the victory with a pair of home runs, breaking the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth with a two-run shot over the centerfield fence, and adding a valuable insurance run with a solo shot to right center in the top of the seventh.
Both Olaveson and Wallner finished with two hits to lead the Chargers at the plate in the victory, and Holtman stole a base as well for the Chargers.
With the win, Hillsdale improves to 10-8 overall. The Chargers will rest on Thursday before traveling to Winter Haven, Florida for four neutral site games on Friday and Saturday to wrap up the Florida trip. Hillsdale opens on Friday with a game against Slippery Rock, followed by a rematch against Purdue Northwest, looking to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Pride in the Rosemont Dome Invitational on Feb. 23.
Photo by Libby Price